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Bookshelf speakers for computer?

post #1 of 15
7/5/03 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
I'm planning to hook up my computer to a receiver and then out to a few speakers.. (maybe 2 or 3... and maybe later upgrade to 5+?)

So I was wondering how would I go about doing this, getting relatively good sound for under $300? (I know, on a budget :P)

Any advice would be nice, thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 15
7/5/03 at 8:16pm
$300 is for what. Both speakers and receiver?
I used a pair of polk r15 speakers ($80/pair) and a sherwood receiver ($95) with my pc. Worked great and much better sounding than a set of multimedia speakers. Just make sure you don't get very large bookshelves as these don't work well for near field listening.
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post #3 of 15
7/5/03 at 10:27pm
Do you use your computer for gaming? If so, you'll want a subwoofer. You won't get enough lows for gaming with even very expensive bookshelves (unless you also have a subwoofer).

In your price range, if you're thinking you'll be needing a sub as well, I'd recommend one of the better sets of computer speakers, rather than just a pair of bookshelves. Usually good sets of computer speakers come with a subwoofer. This isn't the path to audiophile sound, but it is definitely an okay solution within your price range.
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post #4 of 15
7/6/03 at 2:31am
Thread Starter 
No thanks, no subwoofer :P

And after hearing computer speakers.. I don't think I'm ever going back to those.
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post #5 of 15
7/6/03 at 2:38am
Quote:
Originally posted by Kelvie1234
No thanks, no subwoofer :P

And after hearing computer speakers.. I don't think I'm ever going back to those.
I know. Most computer speakers are just not very good.

I use a spare pair of Paradigm Titans with my PC. Works great.

Any good speakers that will image in a near field environment (like on a desk) will be good for your needs.
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post #6 of 15
7/6/03 at 6:57am
Well, the trustworthy JBL Control 1G is still a good and fairly cheap resort for computer use. The bass is already fairly good for the size, which is a good compromise between smallish computer speakers or surround satellites and real bookshelf speakers - and it's magnetically shielded, which is a plus if you intend positioning close to a crt monitor...

Greetings from Munich!

Manfred / lini
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post #7 of 15
7/6/03 at 7:10am
Most good bookshelves go lower than PC subs.

Im using a technics amp about $40 + sony speakers (free).

Sounds much better than any 6.1 pc speaker setup.
The bass puts those subs to shame.

I havent heard a PC speaker that I can live with.

You should see if you can find a pana Pm03.
it should be around $150. Sounds great !
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post #8 of 15
7/9/03 at 4:27pm
I'm currently using a pair of Klipsch SB-2s (~$300) and a Sony STR-DE595 (~$190) with my PC, and I love it. While the reciever isn't the best thing on the block, it was in my price rang and works well enough. For your price rang you may considering the Klipsch SB-1s, which are the same as the SB-2s, and retail for $100 less. For the price, these speakers are fantastic. Super clear highs and mids (even at very high volumes), and decent lows. My next upgrade will be a sub-woofer, though. Like others have mention, bookshelf speakers aren't supposed to hit hard.
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post #9 of 15
7/9/03 at 8:53pm
What do you guys think of Klipsch ProMedias?

Edit: Yeah I know they aren't bookshelf speakers, but how would you compare them to bookshelf speakers?
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post #10 of 15
7/11/03 at 9:20pm
if you can keep them a little distanced from your CRT monitor...or if you have an lcd monitor....the non-shielded k05b11 from speakerpage.com would be an excellent choice. (a steal at $140)

i use the sheilded k05b50 ($160) from speakerpage.com and they are spectacular...only thing is that they really require a sub since they only go down to about 90hz...i use the discontinued DLS 10" 100 watt sub from partsexpress(should run around $100)....if you can pick this sub up off ebay then go with the k05b50 to go with it

if not...the k05b11 can go down to 46hz down 6db which is quite deep for a bookshelf its size...(definitely lower than most computer speaker subs)...only problem with them is that above sound levels of 95db from a meter...they start to distort...

now me...i rarely listen to music above 85db...so that'd be fine for me...but if you like your music exceptionally loud than you might wanna look elsewhere...


as for amplification...if you can find a marantz or sansui receiver from the 1970's you should be set. just ask around to see if anyone has one lying around in the attic or basement. you'd be surprised...i've spotted 3 very nice marantz models just gathering dust in my friends homes. classic-audio.com can help you figure out how much this older equipment is worth...

also...just about any integrated amp would be a good choice...there are a ton of cheap receivers out there...but very few poor integrated amps
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post #11 of 15
7/12/03 at 6:08am
if you can find some second hand Technics Honeycomb speakers, from a brief listen, these sound fabulous even with a crappy amp, however i'm not sure of the price is all!

g
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post #12 of 15
7/12/03 at 10:03am
I say you should get a pair of Wharfedale Diamond 8.1s. They sound terrific, they don't need an extra subwoofer, and they cost only $200! Try going to audioadvisor.com
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post #13 of 15
7/15/03 at 6:44am

Why bother?

Why bother with speakers? Get a SoundBlaster Audigy2 with the breakout box and connect your headphones to them. Here is a picture:





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post #14 of 15
7/16/03 at 12:39am
Though I've heard that the Terratecs are really good soundcards, I might recommend Cambridge SoundWorks MegaWorks 215. Those were favorable reviewed in PCMag as being Audiophile level speakers at a entry-level price. ($400)
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post #15 of 15
7/16/03 at 10:50am
I'm using Paradigm Monitor 5 v2s thru a NAD c320BEE int. amp with my PC. I used to own Klipsch Pro-Media 4.1s -- in answer to the question above about the promedias, i'd have to say that klipsch make the best PC multimedia speakers out there, but they in no way compare to good bookshelves.

Any new soundcard should sound good too, I use a Audigy 2, only because I need its gaming compatiblity, m-audio, terratec make good cards too, audigy 2 is good if you want decent sound and need to have good compatibility, I needed an audigy 2 because I play games once in awhile and wanted a card that works easily in linux.
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